From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Following the irreconcilable power sector crisis that has bedevilled the industry, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has decided to tackle the problem differently by adopting a bottom-up approach.
The bottom-up approach is a strategy that will focus on customers down to distribution and transmission infrastructure in the short term.
This is to ensure that a significant portion of what is generated currently gets to the end users.
Speaking at the third edition of the annual workshop for Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN), in Abuja, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said that this short term approach is to ensure that a significant portion of what is generated currently gets to the end users.
Adelabu who spoke through the Director, Transmission, Ministry of Power, Nosike Emmanuel, also promised that the government will also pay attention to the generation segment, particularly in areas of distributed (embedded) power from renewable energy sources, while at the same time, advancing base load power through thermal and hydro plants in the medium to long term.
“On this, we are working with the National Council on Power (NCP) to develop and send the implementation strategy to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.
“Also, part of the strategy in our roadmap is the emphasis on the bottom-up approach, unlike the top-down approach of the past. The implication, with the bottom-up approach is that we will prioritise metering, distribution and transmission infrastructure. We will focus on customers down to distribution and transmission infrastructure in the short term.
“We will further explore our regional energy potentials. We will focus on solar energy in the north, mini hydro power plants in the middle belt and the southwest, hybridised with solar while our coastal states will be identified for wind energy utilisation” he said.
The minister also stated that with the new electricity act which empowers states, organisations and even individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity, the government would be working with the National Council on Power (NCP) to develop and send the implementation strategy to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.
“A key part of the 2023 Electricity Act is the development of the Integrated National Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan.
“On this, we are working with the National Council on Power (NCP) to develop and send the implementation strategy to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval” he assured
Highlighting the essence of the workshop, the chairman of PCAN, Obas Esiedesa, said that it was to create an opportunity to build capacity for journalists covering the power sector
“This workshop, from inception, three years ago, was intended to create an opportunity to build the capacity of journalists covering the power sector.
“It was also intended to create an avenue for journalists to interact with industry players and regulators. It has in the past two editions, served as a consumer forum where issues bordering on service delivery are resolved”he said.